Gianni Bugno is…The Most Interesting Man in the World

Gianni Bugno. He was a professional rider from 1985 to 1998. He won Milano-San Remo, Ronde Van Vlaaderen, and stages in all three of the Grand Tours. He dominated the 1990 Giro d’Italia, leading from start to finish, taking 9 stages and the points classification jersey in addition to the Maglia Rosa. In an era full of impressive Italian riders, he was the quiet cool foil to Cipollini’s outlandish swagger. When he retired from cycling, he took up flying helicopter as a rescue pilot, and eventually flew helicopters for the Italian broadcaster RAI during their Giro d’Italia coverage. Two years ago he was elected president of the professional riders’ association, the Cyclistes Professionels Associés (CPA). In other words, Gianni Bugno is The Most Interesting Man in the World.

Trivia Fact: He was the last man to win the UCI World Road Championship with down tube shifters. 1991 and 1992.

What would Bugno say about electronic shifting?

I don’t often use a computer…. but when I do, it’s not to shift my derailleur.

image from Velonews

When I save people’s lives, I don’t do it by selling yellow rubber wristbands…. I do it by dropping out of the sky to rescue them in a badass helicopter.

I don’t often sit down to watch professional sports….. but when I do, my chair is flying at 200kmh overhead.